UWGB Social Work Students Giving Back to Live Algoma

Meeting the UWGB and Live Algoma teams

Wednesday, September 21st, a team of individuals representing Live Algoma (LA), went back to college at UWGB. They didn’t go back to learn this time, instead they went to teach a class of about 30 social work students about Live Algoma. The topic focused on the “give and take” that builds a strong and contributing community.

Live Algoma Team provides introductory overview presentation

The class was there to listen to the LA Team Leads’ focus and efforts. The UWGB students’ challenge was to plan their research and approaches to extract and deliver information to the teams. Earlier in the year UWGB Associate Professor, Dr. Joan Groessl, asked Teal VanLanen, about Live Algoma’s interest in an undergraduate research program. The research program is part of a UWGB social work class. The students perform evidence-based research in the Fall and Spring semesters of the 2016-2017 school year. At the end of the Spring semester, the student teams will present the research and data to the Live Algoma Steering Team. This team will be responsible for sharing the information and determining what actions to implement.

Live Algoma’s approach to improve the health and wellness of the Algoma community by focusing on seven dimensions of an individual’s life. These dimensions include the following: emotional, environmental, intellectual, physical, social, financial, and spiritual.

The UWGB Research Plan

LA’s John Pabich meets with UWGB research project Communications Team

During the month of November, students will be visiting 12 different locations within the Algoma community to collect data. Surveys will be either paper or via a web-based link, depending upon the individual’s preference. The survey will ask individuals if they completed the January 2016 Live Algoma survey and whether or not they completed the individual pledge to improve any of the seven dimensions of health. The team will also help distribute the Adult IHI Well-being Assessment. This is a key tool to help learn about the health, well-being, and equity of members in our community. IHI links the results to other communities around the world.

After accumulating the data, the students will review the information and research best practices that can impact improving each dimension for an individual and community. The information presented to the Live Algoma steering team will guide the teams’ focus and efforts to continue improving the health and wellness of the community in an efficient and effective manner.
Please help participate in this survey if you are contacted. The feedback is critical to making Algoma a community the world will follow.